This study evaluated the effects of aqueous seed extract of Parkia biglobosa on the micro-anatomy of the testis and sperm profile of adult Wistar rats. Twenty-one male Wistar rats weighing between 96 and 120 g were assigned into three groups A, B, and C (n=7). Group A was the control and received normal saline, while the animals in groups B and C were treated with 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight (Bwt) aqueous seed extract of P. biglobosa orally and daily for 30 days. The animals were sacrificed via cervical dislocation at the end of the administration, and the testes were extracted for micro anatomical and histochemical studies. The Makler counting chamber was used for semen analysis while the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) stain was used to assess the microstructure of the testicular tissues. The result from semen analysis showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in sperm motility, vitality, and morphology in the group treated with 300 mg/kg Bwt when compared with the control. The group treated with 500 mg/kg Bwt, showed a significant decrease in sperm motility, vitality, and morphology when compared with the control. H and E studies revealed the increased thickness of the germ cell layers of the seminiferous tubules (ST), with an increased number of spermatozoa in the lumen of ST in the group treated with 300 mg/kg bwt compared to the control group. This is a biomarker for improved spermatogenic activity in testicular tissues. Ingesting of P. biglobosa in the conditions used in this study seems to be safe and improves sperm parameters at a low dose (300 mg/kg Bwt).

The present study determined whether or not the regular intake of red wine causes any significant changes in testicular and body weight parameters, given the existing controversy over the effect of alcoholic beverages on health system.Material and methods: Ten male albino Wistar rats -experimental model with average body weight of 140 g were divided into two groups, A and B, (n=5 each). Group A received distilled water being the control while group B was administered a single daily dose of 5 ml/kg body weight of red wine (Carlo Rossi) for 21 days. An electronic weighing scale (G&G® Neuss, Germany) was used to take record of the initial and final body weights. The animals were anesthetized with isoflurane on the 22nd day to enable collection of the testes which were also weighed and thereafter fixed in 10% neutral formalin for routine histological studies. The analysis of variance was used with the 'R' software to analyze the statistical data, while P<0.05 was taken as the significant value.Results: The micro-anatomical investigation revealed enhanced perfusion of the tissue and normal morphology of the seminiferous tubules with constituent spermatogenic cells at different stages of maturation. The biometric assessment of the organ (testis) weight showed no significant difference; whereas there was a statistically significant increase in the final body weight of the treated-experimental model when compared with the control. Conclusion:The findings indicate that the intake of red wine at the investigated amount may maintain the integrity of the primary reproductive structure and lead to body weight gain in males.

Aim: To investigate whether the aqueous extract of avocado leaves can be used in alternative medicine for the remediation or treatment of lead poisoning in the brain. Study Design: Pure Experiment, using animal models. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria; between January 2019 and June 2019. Methodology: Twenty albino Wistar rats including both male and female, and weighing around 155 g were randomly assigned to four groups (designated as A,B,C and D), with each group consisting of five animals. While group A served as the control, group B was administered a daily dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of avocado leaf extract, group C received 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate, and group D was given 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate and immediately followed with 500 mg/kg body weight/day of the avocado leaf extract. Treatments were given once daily through the oral route using a syringe with attached micropipette tube for 15 days, while the animals had access to water and chow ad libitum. The rats were euthanized on the 16th day by cervical dislocation and the cranial cavity was carefully exposed in order to dissect the brain and to obtain tissue samples from the cerebellum, which were then prepared for microscopic examination using routine histological techniques, with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. Results: The findings showed the extract to be ameliorative by reducing histomorphological distortions of lead acetate toxicity in the brain, and thus caused moderate regeneration of the cerebellar tissue. Conclusion: The outcome of this research therefore indicates that the avocado leaf extract has medicinal potentials and could serve as an herbal remedy in the alternative treatment of lead poisoning.

Background: There is a growing need for contemporary application of microscopic techniques in laboratory practice. Moreover, the oil immersion microscopy is rarely done because of its intricacy. As such concerned scientists need to be abreast of the step-by-step procedures for preparing a biological specimen on the whole as well as method for increasing the resolving power of a microscope. Aim: To prepare slides from various organ systems with photomicrographs of different resolutions. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples were sourced from laboratory Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus). Other research items included histopathology lab reagents as well as equipment including embedding mould, water bath, oven and rotary microtome. Standard method of paraffin embedding was used with some modification and sections stained with hematoxylin (Harris) and eosin. Images were prepared using a photomicroscope connected to a computer interface. Results: 500 pieces of microscope slides encompassing 20 different organ/tissue samples, with each mounted on 25 glass slides, while the photomicrographs taken at low (x100), high (x400) and higher (x1000) power magnifications were produced from the various specimens and saved on a disk. Conclusion: The outcome demonstrates the adequacy of the histological protocol used to guide researchers in related fields.

The present study determined the effect of Ocimum gratissimun Linn. leaves aqueous extract on lead-acetate alterations in the hippocampus and serum biochemical concentration of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions in animal models. Twenty male and female albino rats weighing around 155 g were randomly distributed to four groups, (n=5 each). Group A served as control, B received 500 mg/kg body weight of O. gratissimum leaf extract, C was administered 150 mg/kg of lead acetate, and group D was given both lead acetate and the named leaf extract at doses of 150 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. Treatments were given once daily via gavage and lasted 15 days while the animals had access to feed and water ad libitum. The rats were euthanized on the 16th day by cervical dislocation; the cranial cavity was carefully exposed and the brain dissected to excise tissue specimens from the hippocampus for histological studies. Blood samples were also collected through cardiac puncture and then centrifuged to obtain serum used for the biochemical parameter. The one-way Analysis of Variance was the statistical tool used to evaluate the differences in concentration of the electrolytes, and data was expressed as means ± SD, while P< 0.05 was taken as a significant value. The results showed the extract to have a mitigating effect by alleviating lead-acetate induced histopathological distortions of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons and by counteracting the neurochemical alterations in brain electrolyte ion. The findings of this research therefore indicate that the leaf aqueous extract of O. gratissimum has anti-toxic properties and may therefore be explored by pharmaceuticals in search of alternative treatment for lead poisoning.